God Our Anchor: Held Fast through a Loved One’s Addiction

by Deborah Bailey

Do you have friend, family member, or loved one in the throes of addiction? Do you feel tossed by the storm of their struggle, wondering how to stay anchored in truth and hope as you walk beside them? Deborah Bailey has been there. Having lost her precious daughter to the darkness of addiction, she knows what it’s like to run to God in prayer and Scripture, asking the hard questions and dealing with great loss head-on. In God Our Held Fast Through A Loved One’s Addiction , Deborah has crafted thirty devotionals for those who face a similar journey. Each thoughtful entry helps the reader navigate the storm of a loved one’s addiction and hold fast to our great anchor, the Lord.

Whether you have lost loved ones to addiction, or still walk beside them even now in their struggle, Deborah’s devotionals are a safe harbor for you to meet the Lord, letting Him hold you fast in some of the roughest waters a person can brave.

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Joanne Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

No family is ever safe from the attack of drug addiction. Addiction not only affects the user but also the family and friends. It is a heart wrenching problem which will toss us to and fro if we do not secure ourselves to God, who alone is our anchor.

In her book God Our Anchor, Deborah Bailey shares the battle her family faced with her daughter. She provides much comfort and direction for parents looking for answers and hope.

This is a 30 day devotional in which the author seeks to lead others through the storm of battling drug addiction with a child. She has broken down this devotional into three parts:

1) Batten Down the Hatches. Here she seeks to help with the preparation of the storm of addiction.
2) Throwing in the Anchor. In this part, she addresses letting go of some of the baggage being carried and ridding oneself of the lies of the enemy. In so doing, you are better positioned and not be moved as you battle.
3) Anchored. Once anchored, although the storm rages on, you are secure in God alone. You are enabled to stand firm, knowing you are being held by God’s love for you.

Each devotion includes a Scripture, a reading, a prayer, and some questions for thought designed to bring hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.

The author shares her pain-filled journey through her fierce battle with beautiful transparency in the hopes her story will encourage others. Knowing full well the battle is a difficult one, her prayer for other parents is:

“My prayer is for you to be anchored by God as you press on to the prize at the end of your storm. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). I pray for protection and healing over you and your children. I pray for abundant peace as you submit yourselves and your child completely to the Lord. I pray for lives to be saved unto Him, for God ultimately wins, and God does heal!”

(Deborah Bailey, God Our Anchor, page 161)

This is a book for every parent in the midst of the storm of a child’s drug addiction. It will bring encouragement and the powerful reminder of being held fast by God, yes, even in a loved one’s addiction.

**I was provided a copy of this book by B & H Publishing Group for review. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover and description of this book says, “Do you have a friend, family member, or loved one in the throes of addiction?” Because that statement applies to me, I picked up this book. However, the inside content addresses parents with addicted children. This fact does not negate the value of the content; it simply wasn’t what I was expecting. I continued reading because the author’s personal stories of struggle and recovery are engaging. Her advice is solidly based on God’s Word, and it has been hard-won through the loss of her daughter. The prayers and thoughtful questions in each brief devotional will serve as anchors for devastated parents who don’t know how to pray or think straight in a crisis. It’s a great resource for parents of addicts, yet not quite as applicable for family members or friends of addicts.

Favorite quote:

“This is joy in the midst of heartache. I must remember God is who He is today and forever.”

I received a preview of God Our Anchor from B & H Publishers.